[Scene: Morning, school classroom. Sunlight streams through windows, chatter bouncing off walls.]
Elina (cheerful, muttering to herself): "Another normal school morning… let's see how today goes."
Elina (cheerful, trying to join conversation): "Hey, Amara, did you also fill out the form? You know, I'm excited about it too—"
Amara (cutting in, distracted): "Oh! So last night, he asked—"
Elina (awkward smile, muttering to self): …here we go again… my words vanish into thin air.
[Lyra enters, bright and chaotic. Elina waves.]
Elina (introducing, upbeat): "Hey, Lyra! Um… she's Amara, my best friend. And Amara, this is Lyra, my tuition friend from section B. Heard sections A and B are merging, so she'll sit with us now. We'll have fun together—"
Amara (interrupting with a sweet smile): "Hi."*they two started talking*
Elina (under her breath, frustrated): And once again… invisible.
[Lucas, Draven, and Lyric enter. Draven notices Lyra.]
Draven (grinning, teasing): "What are you doing here, lizard?"(said to lyra)
Elina (thinking, annoyed): Ugh… here comes the monkey. Really doesn't know how to talk to girls.
Lyra (snappy, playful): "Got nothing else to do, huh?"
Anny (popular girl, pulling Draven aside): "Don't stick with her too much. She's not that touchable~"
Elina (whispering to Amara, frustrated): "Weren't they best friends? How can she insult her in front of everyone?"
[Bell rings. Maths teacher enters, collects forms.]
Teacher (smiling): "Elina, you're participating, right? Good to see you joining the Olympiad."
[Sections merge. The girls sit near the window.]
[Draven, unable to sit quietly, throws a paper ball. His Target was lyra but It hits Elina]
Elina
Brows furrowed, jaw tight. Her glare slices through the air, arms stiff at her sides, fingers twitching slightly. Every muscle is tense, a storm waiting to erupt.
Draven (mock horror): "Mummy! She's a witch, dude!"
Lyric: don't start your drama 🐣!
Draven (whispering to Lucas & Lyric): "I'll prove it someday."
Lucas (laughing): "She's innocent, Draven. Don't mess with her—she might complain to the principal."
[Time slows.]
The chatter around them fades. The clatter of trays, laughter, footsteps… all gone.
Just their eyes. Nothing else.
Elina's heartbeat thunders in her ears. She doesn't know what to do. Hands stiff on the table. Fork quivers. Lips part slightly… but no words come.
Draven's smirk softens ever so slightly. He too is frozen, caught off guard by the intensity of the moment. For the first time, he doesn't know what to say or do.
Seconds stretch like minutes. The world outside their gaze ceases to exist.
Then, almost imperceptibly, Draven blinks first, rolling his pen, pretending boredom—but that smirk lingers. Elina exhales slowly, jaw still tight, eyes lowering reluctantly, the storm inside her only partially settled.
Elina (whispering to Amara, panicked): "Is there… something on my face?"
Amara (calm): "No."
Lyra (giggling): "Yeah, it's written: IDIOT!"
Elina (exasperated, muttering): "Ugh… LYRA! Stop mocking me!"
---
[Its is lunch time we all go inside canteen]]
Lyra (excited): "Elina, Lyric messaged me last night!"
Elina (curious): "Oh? What did he say?"
Lyra (grinning): "Asked for notes."
Elina (raising an eyebrow, teasing): "Why do boys always ask notes from girls they barely know? Either an excuse to talk… or a genuine reason."
Lyra (laughing): "Exactly! He even followed me on Insta. I just sent the notes directly."
[Amara returns with her tray, smiling. Places tofu in front of Lyra.]
Amara (gentle): "This is for you! You wanted tofu, right?"
Lyra (grinning): "Thanks!"
Elina (reaching for a piece): "I'll take half—"
Amara (pulling plate back, smiling slightly): "Uh… I already gave this to Lyra."
Elina (thinking, frustrated): Always share, sometimes bring extra… and now treated like a stranger… Ugh!
[Draven suddenly appears, casual, teasing.]
Draven: "Hey, Lyra! Too much tofu? Here—"
Lyra: ask elina i already had enough.
[He places a piece gently on Elina's plate.]
Elina
Freeze. Eyes widen, heart thundering. Fingers stiffen, hovering over the plate. Mouth opens slightly… closes again
[Anny arrives, dramatic as always.]
Anny (outraged, flipping hair): "Why are you giving her food? She'll turn into tofu!"
Draven (calm, catching her hand): "Let her eat, Anny. I already gave you i not know of her but if I give you extra you sure become tofu. Ask Lucas or Lyric if you want more."
Anny (scoffing): "Ugh, mean!"
Lucas (sighing): "Draven, handle your own circus."
Lyra (chuckling): "Don't drag us into your tofu drama! I got only two pieces; need more protein, bro!"
Elina (softly, trying to be polite): "It's okay, Anny. You can take if you want."
Anny (smiling): "No, it's your plate now. I'll take from Draven instead of he will line for me~."
[Noise returns. Lyra shakes her head.]
Lyra: "Drama over tofu… a few minutes ago, she didn't even want it."
[Elina glances at Draven. Tofu on her plate is burnt on one side.]
Elina (slow, dramatic): "this buffalo!.. i knew it! One day I also burn him with my 🔥 fire
[She stabs the tofu with her fork. Draven chuckles, proud.]
[They freeze in a moment of silent war—anger and amusement coexisting.]
Cunning angel… with her frustrated demon.
[Elina finally exhales slowly, lowering her fork, still tense, still wary… but secretly a little alive. Draven's smirk remains, just enough to remind her this battle isn't over.]
Elina : atleast I get tofu umm...let's cut the burn half...in rectangle shape now*eat it*
well still feel good somewho~ it because of my maths cutting!
*proud on herself in even in little things,🤧*